M.Ing. / This case study explores the different technology management techniques available to organisations to control and manipulate technology to improve efficiency, reliability, optimisation and productivity. The technology techniques explored in this case study include technology roadmaps, technology capability analysis and technology portfolio analysis. The theoretical framework section of this case study provides an in depth study on the different techniques and presents supporting information that must be understood to correctly and efficiently implement these techniques. The analysis section of this case study presents results to authenticate the research captured in the theoretical section. The analysis section and the conclusion of this case study provide results and benefits of implementing technology management techniques within business units of Sasol. Sasol consists of a number of different technologies with different lifecycles which are required to be controlled and maintained to ensure continuous operation. Sasol is dependent on technology for safety, continuous operation and maintenance. The outcome of this case study is to provide an organisation such as Sasol the benefits and results of implementing technology management techniques within the organisation and to justify investing in technology management tools and techniques. The technology roadmap and technology portfolio analysis was carried out for the Solvents business unit whereas the technology capability analysis was carried out for Sasol Technology control engineering group.

M.Comm. (Business Management) / Research and Development (R&D) facilities have been used to develop new or better products and services for a long time. Organisations utilise knowledge gained from their R&D facilities to gain access to new markets and to improve the organisation’s competitiveness in the market. R&D facilities are referred to as learning organisations that employ people who specialise in specific technologies. These employees are referred to as ‘knowledge employees’. Sasol R&D was formed in 1955 to assist the organisation to develop and improve the Fischer-Tropch (F-T) technology that was adopted by the organisation to produce synthetic fuels from coal. At the time the technology had not been sufficiently proven on a commercial scale and this necessitated that research be conducted to ensure that the processes related to (F-T) technology are efficiently operated. The use of the knowledge generated by Sasol R&D has resulted in Sasol being recognised as the world leader in F-T technology and has led to joint ventures with other organisations around the world. The management of acquired knowledge has been critical in the development of Sasol and the successes that the organisation has enjoyed. It is therefore important that the employees of Sasol and those of Sasol R&D are well equipped to utilise the knowledge that was generated by previous employees to continuously improve and develop technologies. The objective of this study was to establish the perception that knowledge employees have of Knowledge Management (KM) and what Sasol R&D can improve on in this regard, i.e. business performance and individual employees’ career development. Respondents generally agree with the importance of KM in Sasol R&D and also indicated that a successful KM strategy can help improve individuals’ careers. The respondents also indicated that they were familiar with the concept of KM and the advantages for the organisation in the successful implementation of such a KM strategy. The main recommendations from the study are: 1. Employees should be involved in current the future KM strategies that the management of Sasol R&D wants to implement. 2. The adopted KM strategy’s objectives and benefits should be made clear and understandable to all employees. In addition, all relevant documentation should be made available to the employees.

M.Sc.

Mergers and Acquisitions can be very exciting events for organizations. The promise of top and bottom line growth through synergy with another company can excite executives. Unfortunately, research has shown, this promise very seldom realizes as acquisitions are complex process that require understanding and commitment from all parties, both from the acquiring firm and the acquired firm. The study will start off reviewing the processes that define, in general terms, implementation of mergers and acquisitions. This will be following by a review of the experience of the SASOL Oil acquisition of EXEL Petroleum. A detail investigation of the actual process adopted by the latter organizations will be investigated through empirical research. And finally, the focus of this review is to identify gaps, a lack of certain process and their implementation and statements and actions of ambiguities and ambiguous situations. The resultant outcome of this investigation will assist the researcher, in establishing whether the acquisition of EXEL Petroleum by SASOL Oil provided synergistic value, and whether the implementation of the integration process was thorough and successful. / Prof. A. Boessenkool

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment is a case study for Strategic Management and based on a South African company. The company is SASOL Ltd, one of South Africa's leading companies regarding to technological resourcefulness and diversification. The first chapter of this assignment will give a small introduction and explain why SASOL was chosen for this project, as well as the methodology used. Chapter two covers the development of SASOL from a state owned company in the 1950's, to a global player in the field of fuel and chemicals. Included in this chapter is the industry analysis of the fuel and chemical markets. In this chapter, it becomes apparent that SASOL has built its status on the modified Fisher-Tropsch process. Using the process by-products, SASOL was able to penetrate various chemical markets to form a portfolio of different products. In chapter three, a strategic evaluation was done as part of the requirement for this paper. A model of Thompson and Strickland, the prescribed handbook for Strategic Management students, were used as part of the evaluation. The following chapter contained more information on the different business units and the last five years' financial results. These chapters are included to supply additional information that may not have been covered in the broader view of chapter two. To complete the paper a chapter of questions and answers was included, which contains twenty generalised questions asked specifically around SASOL's strategy and information that is contained in this paper. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die opdrag is 'n saak studie vir die vak Strategiese Bestuur en is gebasseer op 'n Suid Afrikaanse maatskappy. Die maatskappy is SASOL Bpk, en is een van Suid Afrika se mees vooraanstaande maatskappy ten opsigte van tegnologies innovering en diversifisering. Die eerste hoofstuk gee 'n kort verduideliking waarom SASOL gekies is asook die metodiek wat gebruik sal word. Hoofstuk twee handel oor die ontwikkeling van SASOL vanaf 'n Staats besitte maatskappy in die vroeë 1950's tot en met waar die maatskappy 'n wereld speler is op die gebied van brandstof en chemikalië. Ingesluit in die hoofstuk is die industrie analiese van die brandstof en chemikalië markte. Dit word hier duidelik dat SASOL sy huidige posisie bereik het op die Fisher- Tropsch proses en deur die gebruik van die proses se byprodukte was SASOL daartoe in staat om verskeie nuwe markte te penetreer. In hoofstuk drie is 'n strategiese evaluasie gedoen aan die hand van 'n model wat beskryf word in Thompson en Strickland, 'n handboek vir Strategiese Bestuurs studente. Die daarop volgende hoofstukke is daartoe gewy om die student meer inligting te gee van die verskillende besigheidseenhede en het ook die finasieële resultate van die afgelope vyf jaar ingesluit. Om die werksopdrag af te sluit is twintig vrae en antwoorde wat betrekking het op SASOL se strategie en algemene inligting in die laaste hoofstuk.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Faculty of Management Sciences, Dept. of Human Resources Management) -- Vaal University of Technology / The buzzwords in South African business today is quality service and customer satisfaction. Service quality is an important determinant of customer satisfaction. It is therefore important to measure customer satisfaction and to solicit internal customers perceptions on service received. This research was primarily undertaken to evaluate the quality of services rendered by administrators to Sasol Technology R&D employees. The research is supported by a detailed study of quality and customer service. An adapted internal service quality scale (INSERVQUAL) was used to measure service quality. A thirty item scale was developed, for the empirical study. The instrument was then subjected to a scale purification process through exploratory factor analysis. Both the expectation and perception elements were used in measuring service quality. The five dimensions of service quality namely Accessibility and Tangibility, Assurance, Empathy, Reliability and Responsiveness were identified as internal service quality dimensions. Aspects of Accessibility and Tangibility were incorporated as a single dimension in this study. A six- point Likert scale was used in the questionnaire. The low end of the scale represented a negative response, whilst the high end represented a posit,ive response. With a response rate of 63% from internal customers, the researcher was able to provide evidence that service quality dimensions may influence an employee's perception of the administrators' service quality. The finding in this study also suggests the need for further research to examine customers' expectations in other related services as well as in different culture contexts. The testing of the modified internal customer model of internal marketing developed and described in this study indicates that Access, Assurance, Empathy, Reliability and Responsiveness dimensions may be a useful approach to enhancing service quality.

M.Phil. / The main objectives of this study, which was done in Sasol 2, were to analyse energy utilization in the Sasol process and to develop an energy model that simulates all major energy flows in the Sasol process. Secondary objectives were to study the mechanics of the Sasol process and to do a literature study ...

M.Com. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sasol Mining is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sasol Limited, an integrated oil and gas company with substantial chemical interests. Sasol Mining extracts and supplies coal to Sasol's synfuels and chemical plants in South Africa, but also sells some of its output to extemal customers, primarily international (United States Securities Exchange Commission, 2005: 39). Outsourcing, the practice of buying products and services from external suppliers, increasingly forms part of the Sasol Mining business environment and some of the challenges experienced and trends seen raise some interesting why and how questions. Such questions are the topic of this research report. The case study strategy to research has considerable ability to generate answers to 'why?' as well as 'what?' and 'how?' questions (Saunders, et aI., 2003: 93). Before such questions are explored further however, a comprehensive literature review was carried out, but with the intention to develop a theoretical framework of good outsourcing practice. This theoretical framework lies at the heart of the research design and methodology. The research objective is to develop an explanatory theory that associates certain factors with the effectiveness of outsourcing initiatives at Sasol Mining. This research report's central proposition is that any results obtained by Sasol Mining with outsourcing initiatives can be explained by understanding to what extent its management of the outsourcing process is in line with the theory of good outsourcing practice. This case study's fundamental design will be that of a single-case with multiple, embedded units of analysis. Sasol Mining serves as the single case in this research design and individual outsourcing initiatives and its results at Sasol Mining are logical subunits that can be identified and is studied in operational detail. Good evidence was found that the effectiveness of outsourcing initiatives at Sasol Mining can be explained by understanding the extent to which its outsourcing practices are in line with the theoretical framework of good outsourcing practice. In addition, it is recommended that Sasol Mining raise a strategic debate regarding outsourcing and its place in Sasol Mining's business strategy, but against the backdrop of its current outsourcing practice and the developed theoretical 'framework. There is good evidence that this framework developed as part of the literature review (heretofore not presented at such an integrated, all-encompassing level) is a "good" theory. Tantalising bits of information in the form of thematic materials and recurring patterns surfaced during data reduction and analysis. Black Economic Empowerment and outsourcing is one such example, and it was explored to some extent. Many more exist. The case study as a research strategy was successful in the sense that the research question could be answered, in addition to the analytiC generalisation that could be made about the nature of the theory on outsourcing practice itself. Although at times data recording and analysis requirements were onerous, the research strategy also led to an in-depth understanding of Sasol Mining as a business. This is the strength of the case study approach to research. That is also what made the research report worthwhile. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sasol Mynbou is 'n filiaal van en word ten volle besit deur Sasol Beperk, 'n ge'integreerde olie- en gas maatskappy met uitgebreide chemiese belange. Sasol Mynbou ontgin en voorsien steenkool aan Sasol se sintetiese brandstowwe- en chemiese aanlegte in Suid Afrika, maar verkoop ook steenkool aan eksterne klante, hoofsaaklik in die internasionale arena (United States Securities Exchange Commission, 2005: 39). Eksterne verkryging, die praktyk waarvolgens 'n onderneming produkte en dienste van eksterne verskaffers verkry, vorm toenemend deer van die Sasol Mynbou besigheidsomgewing en van die probleme wat ervaar word daarmee en van die waarneembare neigings laat interessante hoekom en hoe vrae ontstaan. Sulke vrae vorm die onderwerp van hierdie navorsingsverslag. Die gevallestudie benadering tot navorsing beskik oor 'n kragtige vermoil om antwoorde te verskaf rakende 'hoekom?', 'wat?' en 'hoe?' vrae (Saunders, et ai., 2003: 93). Alvorens sulke vrae egter verder ondersoek word, word 'n omvattende literatuurstudie uitgevoer met die doer om 'n teoretiese raamwerk te ontwikkel van goeie eksterne verkrygingspraktyk. Hierdie teoretiese raamwerk vorm ook die kern navorsingsontwerp en -metodologie. Die navorsingsdoelwit is om 'n verklarende teorie te ontwikkel wat sekere faktore koppel aan die effektiwiteit van eksterne verkrygingsinisiatiewe by Sasol Mynbou. Hierdie navorsingsverslag se sentrale stelling is: enige resultate wat deur Sasol Mynbou behaal word met eksterne verkrygingsinisiatiewe kan verklaar word deur die mate waartoe die eksterne verkrygingsproses bestuur word volgens die teoretiese raamwerk van goeie eksterne verkrygingspraktyk. Die gevallestudie se fundamentele ontwerp is een van 'n enkele geval met veelvuldige ingeslote eenhede van analise. Sasol Mynbou dien as die enkele geval met individuele eksterne verkrygingsinisiatiewe en hul onderskeie resultate wat identifiseerbaar is as logiese sub-eenhede. Daar is goeie bewyse gevind dat die effektiwiteit van eksterne verkrygingsinisiatiewe by Sasol Mynbou verklaar kan word deur 'n beg rip te ontwikkel vir die mate waartoe die bestuur van hierdie inisiatiewe belyn is met die teoretiese raamwerk van goeie eksterne verkrygingspraktyk. Dit word ook aanbeveel dat Sasol Mynbou 'n debat op strategiese vlak begin wat handel oor eksterne verkryging se plek in die algemene ondernemingstrategie, maar binne die konteks van die huidige praktyk by Sasol Mynbou en die teoretiese raamwerk wat as deel van hierdie navorsingsverslag ontwikkel is. Daar is ook goeie bewyse dat die teoretiese raamwerk (voorheen nie aangebied op so 'n ge"lntegreerde, omvattende vlak nie) aan die vereistes van 'n "goeie" teorie voldoen. 'n Aantal interessante temas en herhalende patrone het oak na vore gekom gedurende data analise. Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging en eksterne verkryging is 'n voorbeeld van so 'n herhalende patroon en dit is tot 'n sekere mate verder ondersoek. Daar is ook ander voorbeelde van soortgelyke patrone. Die gevallestudie as 'n navorsingstrategie was suksesvol tot so 'n mate dat die navorsingsvraag beantwoord kon word, en boonop was dit ook moontlik om afieidings te maak rakende die teorie van eksterne verkrygingspraktyk. Hoewel data vaslegging en -analise soms oarweldigend was, het die navorsingstrategie tog gelei tot 'n diepe insig van Sasol Mynbou as 'n besigheid. Dit is die krag van die gevallestudie benadering tot navorsing. Dit is ook wat die navorsingsverslag die moeite werd gemaak het.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Change management is a field of study that is becoming increasingly more important as the rate of change in organisations increases and technology develops. The number of change initiatives within organisations is increasing daily, but unfortunately the success rate is decreasing. There are various reasons for this, but two significant reasons are organisations looking for quick fixes, and change not being properly planned. Organisation development is a field within change management that addresses both these problems. The field is anchored in the action research methodology, ensuring that chanqe is properly planned. The other strength of organisation development lies in the systems approach that is followed. A systems approach ensures that a proper understanding of the organisation is developed before corrective interventions are proposed. This study project makes use of the Burke-Litwin model as part of an organisation development process to identify problem areas in the Sasol Technology Process Engineering functional department. After the identification of the problem areas, interventions are planned to address these issues. A literature study on the field of organisation development is presented in Chapter 2. This study begins with a review of the origins and development of organisation development, including the role of the change process and systems thinking. The study further evaluates various organisation development models and uses the information to evaluate the Burke-Litwin model. Finally the study presents the organisation development process that is followed in the Sasol Technology Process Engineering department and how it impacts on this study project. Chapter 3 supplies information on the organisation that is studied and places the organisation in context with its environment. This chapter also presents the results of the diagnostic phase and draws conclusions from these results. The results are interpreted for the overall organisation, but also for different categories within the organisation. The conclusions from this chapter form the identified problem areas that are one of the objectives of the study project. Interventions to address the problem areas identified in Chapter 3 are planned and developed in Chapter 4. To place the interventions in context, a short literature review on intervention theory is presented. The results of the development process is a plan of interventions that can be implemented for the overall organisation, as well as for the two geographic environments that the organisation functions in. Chapter 5 of the study project presents a summary of the study, as well as conclusions that are made by the author, and recommendations on the completion of the organisation development process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Veranderingsbestuur is 'n veld wat al hoe meer relevant raak soos die pas van verandering toeneem en tegnologie ontwikkel. Die aantal veranderingsbestuur initiatiewe binne organisasies neem daagliks toe, maar die suksessyfer is ongelukkig aanhoudend besig om te daal. Daar is veskeie redes vir die veskynsel, maar twee beduidende redes is gekoppel aan die feit dat organisasies kitsoplossings soek, en dat die verandering nie deeglik beplan word nie. Organisasieontwikkeling is 'n veld binne veranderingsbestuur wat beide die probleme aanspreek. Die veld is stewig geanker in die aksie-navorsingsmetodologie wat verseker dat die verandering deeglik beplan word. Organisasieontwikkeling se ander sterk punt is dat dit die sisteembenadering volg. 'n Sisteembenadering verseker dat 'n deeglike begrip van die organisasie ontwikkel word voordat intervensies voorgestel word. Hierdie studieprojek maak gebruik van die Burke-Litwin model as deel van 'n organisasieontwikkelingsproses om probleemareas in die Sasol Tegnologie Prosesingenieurs funksionele departement te identifiseer. Nadat die probleemareas geïdentifiseer is word intervensies beplan om die probleme aan te spreek. 'n Literatuurstudie oor die veld van organisasieontwikkeling word in Hoofstuk 2 aangebied. Die studie begin met 'n oorsig oor die ontstaan en ontwikkeling van organisasieontwikkeling, wat die rol van veranderingsproses en sisteemdenke insluit. Die studie gaan verder deur verskeie organisasieontwikkelingsmodelle te evalueer en die inligting te gebruik om die Burke-Litwin model te evalueer. Die studie sluit af met 'n oorsig oor die organisasieontwikkelingsproses wat gevolg word en hoe dit die studieprojek raak. Hoofstuk 3 verskaf inligting oor die organisasie wat bestudeer word en plaas die organisasie in konteks met die omgewing waarbinne dit bedryf. Die hoofstuk sluit ook die resultate van die diagnostiese fase in en bied die gevolgtrekkings wat gemaak word aan. Die resultate word vir die organisasie in geheel aangebied, maar ook vir verskillende kategorieë binne die organisasie. Die gevolgtrekkings wat bereik word vorm die geïdentifiseerde probleemareas wat een van die oogmerke van die studieprojek is. Hoofstuk 4 bied die intervensies aan wat ontwikkel en beplan is om die probleemareas van Hoofstuk 3 aan te spreek. 'n Kort literatuurstudie oor die teorie van intervensies word aangebied om die intervensies in konteks te plaas. Die resultaat van die ontwikkelingsproses is 'n plan vir intervensies wat geïmplimenteer kan word vir die algehele organisasie, maar ook vir die twee geografiese omgewings waarbinne die organisasie funksioneer. Hoofstuk 5 veskaf 'n opsomming van die studieprojek, asook die gevolgtrekkings van die skrywer aangaande die studieprojek en aanbevelings oor die voltooiing van die organisasieontwikkelingsproses.